Automatic electric welding apparatus



'Dec. 1, 1942. L. J. BERKELEY AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC WELDING APPARATUS FiledSept. 24, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 1, 1942. L. J. BERKELEY AUTOMATICELECTRIC WELDING APPARATUS- 3 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24, 1941 g @NBXDec. 1, 1942. 1.. J. BERKELEY AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC WELDING APPARATUS FiledSept. 24, 1941 S Sheets-Sheet 3 mm qww haw nww EN man ENE m QM 9% may Mwww Patented Dec. 1, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC WELDING APPARATUS Laurence J. Berkeley, Corry, Pa.

Application September 24, 1941,. Serial No. 412,090 8 Claims. (Cl.219-8) My invention relates to apparatus for automatically electricallywelding rotating objects wherein the surface to be welded is notregularly equidistant from the axis of rotation of the object. The formof my invention shown herein is-particularly applicable forautomatically electrically welding gun powder boxes such as are shown inLetter Patent No..2,23'7,259 granted April 1, 1941, to Arthur Marland,as assignor to John Wood Manufacturing Company, Inc., and which boxes,in accordance with the specification requirements of the United StatesGovernment and other authorities, are rectangular in shape and.approximately 9% inches by 16% inches by 28% inches in outsidedimensions. Said boxes are fabricated by welding preformed flanged topand bottom closures to the respective open ends of 'the tubular body ofthe box which also has been preformed and butt-welded along itslongitudinal seam.

In order to produce by automatic means a commercially satisfactory weldof such endclosures to the body of a box, or to weld any otherirregularly shaped object, it is essential that the surface oi. theobject being welded be moved at a constant rate of speedwith respect toa welding head maintained in fixed position. It is also essential thatthe surface to be' welded be maintained at a constant predetermineddistance from the welding wire or rod fed by such automatic electricwelding head of any well-known construction.

Various endeavors have been made in the past to automaticallyelectrically weld rotating surfaces not regularly equidistant from theaxis of rotation of the object, such as by the use of air cylinders tomaintain the object in position with respect to the welding head andeffecting rotation of the object by means of irregular shaped internalgears, 'pinions, etc. Such devices have proved to be unsatisfactorybecause of the chiliculties of effecting varying increases and decreasesin the pressures in air cylinder necessitated by the turning movement ofan irregularly balanced object with the resultant shifting of its centerof gravity. The use of irregular shaped gears to effect turning movementof the object likewise has been proven to be unsatis factory because'ofthe shifting of the center of gravity of the irregular object as it isrotated,

thus causing the object to move at varyingrates of speed, with respectto the stationary welding head, depending upon the position of theobject during its rotation.

One feature of my invention is the provision of automatic means formoving the surface to be welded of a rotating object not regularlyequidistant from the axis of rotation of the object at a constantrate'of speed with respect to a welding head maintained in fixedposition.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of means to maintainthe surface of such object at a constant predetermined distance from thewelding wire or rod fed by an automatic electric welding head.

The use of my invention not only efiects a material reduction in thecost of welding such objects as rectangular shaped powder boxes, butalsoenables the welding operations to be effected at greater rates 0! speedand with more uniform resultant welds than has heretofore been possiblewhen such boxes are welded manually. The present emergency defensesituation requires that powder boxes be made in such enormous quantitiesthat there are not suflicient skilled manual electric welders availableto meet the demands made on that highly skilled trade becauseof theadditional demands made for such skilled workmen in other fields ofdefense work.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings,

Fig. I is a right hand elevation, partly in section, of a structureembodying my invention.

Fig. II is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on thelines 11, II in Fig. I. Fig. III is a plan view of the structure shownin Figs. I and II.

Fig. IV is a front elevation of a gunpowder box of the constructionwhich is welded by the apparatus shown in Figs. I, II, and III.

Fig. V is a side elevation of the'box shown in Fig. IV.

Referring to said drawings, said apparatus includes the rectangular baseI which has at each of its four corners at pad 2. The supporting sockets3, 4, 5, and 8 are rigidly mounted on their'respective pads 2 by meansof respective series of bolts 8 which extend through the respectiveflanges of said supporting sockets and engage the pads 2 and base i. Thesupporting sockets 3, l, 5, and 6 are respectively provided withrecesses 3', 4', 5', and 5' for supporting the ends of two pairs ofsupporting standards, in-

cluding the'front pair of standards In and ii respectively mounted inthe sockets 3 and 4, and the rear pairof supporting standards I! and Brespectively mounted in the sockets 5 and 8. Said standard are rigidlyheld in their respective sockets by means of set screw I5. As shown inFig. I, the pair of standards I2 and I8 is of greater height than thepair of standards I8 and II. v

The bracket socket supporting member I! is provided with the annularrecess I8 in engagement with and mounted on the upper end of the frontstandard I8, and said socket member I1 is rigidly connected to saidstandard I8 by means of the set screw 28. Said supporting mem-- her I!is L-shaped and bifurcated at its upper end forming therein the arms 2|and 22 and the notched recess portion 28.

The bracket socket supporting member 25, identical with the supportingmember I1, is provided with the annular recess 28 in engagement with andmounted on the upper end of the front standard I I, and said socketmember is rigidly connected to said standard H by means of the set screw28. Said supporting member 25 is L- shaped and bifurcated at its upperend forming therein the arms 29 and 88 and the notched recess portion8|.

The bracket socket supporting member 88 is provided with the annularrecess 84 in engagement with and mounted on the upper end of the rearstandard [2, and said socket member 88 is rigidly connected to saidstandard I2 by means of the set screw 88. Said supporting member 88 isL-shaped and bifurcated at its upper end forming therein the arms 81 and88 and the notched recess portion 88.

The bracket socket supporting member 48, identical with the supportingmember 88, is provided with the annular recess 4| in engagement with andmounted on the upper end of the rear standard I8, and said socket member48 is rigidly connected to said standard I8 by means of the set screw48. Said supporting member 48 is L-shaped and bifurcated at its upperend forming therein the arms 44 and 45 and the notched recess portion48.

As best shown in Fig. III, the shaft 48 is journaled in bearings formedin the L-shaped bifurcated arms 81, 88, 44, and 45 of the rear standardsI2 and I8, and said shaft has rigidly mounted at the right hand endthereof the drive gear 48. Said shaft is prevented from being displacedaxially by means of the hub 58 and collar 8| which are rigidly connectedto the respective ends of the shaft 48 conveniently by set screws 58 and54. Said shaft 48 is conveniently formed in two pieces connected by thecoupling member 55.

Said shaft 48 has rigidly mounted thereon, between the bifurcated arms81 and 88, the quadruple gear 58 which is rigidly fastened to the shaft48 by means of tapered pins 51 extending through the respective oppositehub ends of said ear 58.

Said shaft 48 has rigidly mounted thereon at its opposite end, betweenthe bifurcated arms 44 and 45, the quadruple gear 58 which is rigidlyfastened to the shaft 48 by means of tapered pins 88 extending throughthe respective opposite hub ends of said gear 58.

The quadruple gear 88 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 84, the oppositeends of which are respectively journaled in the slide blocks 85 and 88,which are respectively slidably mounted in recesses 81 and 88 formed inthe bifurcated arms 2| and 22 of the socket member I1. Said slide blocks85 and 88 are provided respectively with adjusting screws I8 and 1|which extend in screw threaded relation through the bifurcated arms 2|and 22 and have their ends respectively in engagement with the slideblocks, and 88. Said adjusting screws are provided respectively withlock nuts 12 and I8 so that the gear 88, mounted on the shaft 84journaied in the slide blocks and 88, may be retained in predeterminedadjusted position. I find it convenient to provide said bifurcated arms2| and 22 with the end closure plate 14, which is rigidly mounted on theends of said arms 2| and 22 conveniently by a series of cap screws I5.

The quadruple gear 18, identical with the 'quadruple gear 83, is rigidlymounted on the shaft I9, the opposite ends of which are respectivelyjournaled in the slide blocks 88 and 8|, which are respectively slidablymounted in recesses 82 and 88 formed in the bifurcated arms 29 and 88 ofthe socket member 25.

Said slide blocks 88 and 8| are provided respectively with adjustingscrews 84 and 85 which extend in screw threaded relation through thebifurcated arms 29 and 88 and have their ends respectively in engagementwith the slide blocks 88 and 8|. Said adjusting screws are providedrespectively with lock nuts 88 and 81 so that the gear I8, mounted onthe shaft 19 journaled in the slide blocks 88 and 8|, may be retained inpredetermined adjusted position. I flnd it convenient to provide saidbifurcated arms 29 and 88 with the end closure plate 88 which is rigidlymounted on the ends of said arms 29 and 88 conveniently by a series ofcap screws 89.

The quadruple gears 58, 58, 88, and I8 are identical and of the samepitch diameter, and the gears 58 and 88 are connected by the quadruplechain 9| and the gears 58 and I8 are connected by the quadruple chain82. It is obvious that said chains 9| and 82 may be maintained inadjusted position with respect to the gears which they connect byadjustment of the adjusting screws 18, II, 84, and 85 respectively inengagement with the slide blocks 85, 88, 88, and 8|.

The respective ends of the side frame member 88 are rigidly mounted inthe notched recess portion 28 of the socket member I1 and the notchedrecess portion 89 of the socket member 88. Said frame member 98 isrigidly connected to the socket member I! by two pairs of tapered pins85 and 98 which respectively extend through the arms 2| and 22 into theframe member 88. I find it convenient to provide the pair of taperedpins with screw threads at their outer ends engaging nuts 88 so as tofacilitate the removal of said pair of pins 85. It is obvious that withthe removal of the pins 95 the paireof pins 98 may be driven out oftheir tapered sockets by force applied to the smalle;- ends of the pins.

Said frame member 88 is rigidly connected to the socket member 88 by twopairs of tapered pins I88 and I8| which respectively extend through thearms 8'! and 88 into the frame member 98. The pair of tapered pins I88are screw threaded at their outer ends and provided with nuts I82 so asto facilitate removal of said pairs of pins as described above withrespect to the pins 95 and 88.

The opposite ends of the side frame member I85 are rigidly mounted inthe notched recess portion 8| of the socket member 25 and the notchedrecess portion 48 of the socket member 48. Said frame member I85 isrigidly connected to the socket member 25 by two pairs of tapered pinsI88 and III'I which respectively extend through the arms 29 and 88 intothe frame member I85. I find it convenient to provide the pair oftapered pins I88 with screw threads at their outer ends engaging nutsI06 so as to facilitate the removal of said pairs of pins as describedabove with respect to pins 95 and 06.

Said frame member I05 is rigidly connected to the socket member 40 bytwo pairs of tapered pins and III which respectively extend through thearms 44 and 45 into the frame member I05. The pair of tapered pins II 0are screw threaded at their outer ends and provided with nuts I I2 so asto facilitate removal of the pairs of pins as described abovewlthrespect to the pins 95 and 06.

As best shown in Fig. II, said frame member 93 is recessed at itsunderside to form the channel H3 which acts as a guide and rigid backingsurface for the quadruple chain SI and prevents said chain from beingflexed beyond the plane of the bottom of the channel H3.

Said frame member I05 is likewise recessed at its underside to form thechannel ill which acts as a guide and rigid hacking surface for thequadruple chain 92 and prevents said chain from being flexed beyond theplane of the bottom of channel H6.

best shown in Fig. I, the platform H6, supporting the pivotedcounterweight arm member ill, is clamped to the rear standard i2.intermediate of its ends by means of a series of bolts H8 extendingthrough the semicyiindricai clamping cap member H9 and into engagement uwith screw threaded holes in the fiange fit of the counterpartsemicylindrical clamp member E2I, conveniently formed as an integralpart of the supporting platform member H6. The platform 23, supportingthe pivoted counterweight arm member Hill which is the oppositecounterpart of the arm member H1, is conveniently clamped to the rearstandard I3, intermediate of its ends, by means of a series of bolts i25extending through the semicyiindrical clamping cap member E26 and intoengagement with screw threaded holes in the flange I2! of thecounterpart semicylindrical clamp member 28, conveniently formed as anintegral part of the su porting platform member I25.

Said pivoted counterweight arm members H1 and I25 are rigidly connectedtothe opposite ends of their connecting shaft 229, conveniently by meansof set screws I30 and 230' extending through the hubs I3I and I52 formedrespectively zgggintegral parts of said arm members II! and As bestshown in Fig. 111, said platform H6 has formed at the upper part thereofthe guide rail I35 forming a track for the grooved guideroiler I36 whichis journaled on the shaft I25, and said roller 36 is prevented fromaxial displacement on the shaft I29 by collars I 3! and 6 which arerigidly connected to said shaft 29 conveniently by means of pins 536.

Said platform I25 has formed at the upper part thereof the guide rail 0forming a track for the grooved guide roller I which is fournaled on theshaft I29. and said roller Ill is prevented from axial displacement onthe shaft I20 by collars I62 and I43 which are rigidly con-.

nccted to said shaft I29 conveniently by means of pins I. Said arm IIiincludes-the rear extension portion I65 having the boss I46 formed atthe end thereof. The counterweight I" is rigidly mounted on the studshaft I48 which is in engagement with the opening 9 formed in saidmaterials of predeterminableweights.

boss I46. Said arm I20 includes the rear exten- Said arm III includesthe extension I60 which carries at its outer end the split bearing I6Iincluding the semicylindrical bearing cap member I62 which is'rigidlyclamped to the counterpart semicylindrical bearing portion I63 of thearm 'I60 by means of a series of cap screws I64. The

sleeve I65 is journaled in said split bearing I6I and, as shown in Fig.11, said sleeve I65 has at its left hand end an enlarged annular headI56 on' which is mounted the frame I63. Said frame I69 includes the lefthand rectangular member Fill,

the rectangular spacing plates W5 and F66, and

the right hand frame member I-I'I which are rigidly clamped togetherconveniently by a series of screws flu extending through holes if? insaid frame member ii! and holes 580 in said plate I75, into screwthreaded engagement with tapped holes E32 in said left hand frame platemember .i'i0. Said frame Hi9 rigidly connected to the head idfi by aseries of screws M5 extending through the annular recessed portion 86 ofsaid frame member 70 and into screw threaded engagement with tappedholes I81 in said head I66.

Said rectangular gear frame E69 carries, intermediate of said. frameplates Ill! and ill, a series of four identical quadruple gearassemblies, one assembly being mounted at each of the four corners ofsaid frame 869. Each of said assemblies includes a shaft 590, theopposite ends of which are mounted in openings formed in said framemembers HE and ill. Each of said shafts carries an annular ball bearingassembly lti, interposed between the frame member E76 and the spacingplate I16: a quadruple gear I 92; and a bearing assembly i93 interposedbetween the spacing plate I15 and the right hand frame momher ti'f. Eachof said gears 582 is prevented from turning, and is maintained in fixedposition con veniently by means of a series of four pins I which extendthrough said plate E15, gear 552, and plate I16. Each of said annularhearing assemblies MI and I 93 has rigidly mounted on its periphery aroller ring 5 65 for rolling engagement with rail tracks I96 formed atthe opposite sides of the side frame member 93 by the formation of thechannel recess iii! in said frame 0!.

Said rectangular frame plate if? is provided with the outwardly. turnedrectangular flange I96 which forms a guide track I99 which is engaged bythe roller 200. Said roller 206 is ,icurnaied on the stud shaft 2Mmounted in the lower end of the bracket 202 which is rigidly connectedto the side frame member by bolts 203. I find it convenient to' providesaid shaft 2% with the axial drilled passageway 204 which is provided atits outer end with the grease cup 206 by which grease maybe forcedthrough said opening 20 to said roller 200 through an open ng 2H? formedat the inner end of said shaft 2M and in communication with said axialopening 204.

The drive gear 45, rigidly mounted at the end of the shaft 46, is drivencounterclockwise by the motor 208 through suitable gear ng connectionsincluding the gear reduction unit 209 of any of the well-knownconventional types. Such counterclockwise movement of the drive gear 9causes the quadruple chain 0| to move continuously around the quadruplegears" and 63, and one or more of said quadruple gears I92, carried bythe frame I69. is continually in engagement with the quadruple chain 9|as it moves from left to right, in Fig. I, in the guide channel N3 ofthe frame member 93. Said frame member I59 is limited in its transversetravel when a corner of the flanged guide track I99 reaches the roller206, and said frame member I69 thereupon is caused to turn clockwise onits axis until the following quadruple gear I92 of the series is movedinto engagement with the chain 9|, which prevents further rotation ofsaid frame member I69 and causes said frame member again to be carriedalong from left to right by engagement of the gears I92 with the chain9| until such time as a corner of the flanged guide track I99 againreaches the roller 200, which causes said frame I69 again to be rotatedclockwise about its axis.

Said arm I24 includes the extension 2 which carries at its outer endthesplit bearing 2|2 including the semi-cylindrical bearing cap member 2| 3which is rigidly clamped to the counterpart semicylindrical bearingportion 2 of the arm 2 by means of a series of cap screws 2I5. Thesleeve 2| 6 is journaled in said split bearing 2|2, and as shown in Fig.II, said sleeve 2|6 includes at its right hand end an enlarged annularhead 2|1 on which is mounted the frame 226. Said frame 220 includes theright hand member 22I,

the rectangular spacing plates 222 and 223, and

the left hand frame member 224 which are rigidly clamped together,conveniently by a series of screws 225 extending through holes 226 insaid frame member 224 and holes 221 in said plate 222 into screwthreaded engagement with tapped holes 229 in said right hand frame platemember 22|. Said frame 220 is rigidly connected to the annular head 2| 1by a series of screws 239 extending through the annular recessed portion23| of the frame member 22| and into screw threaded engagement withtapped holes 232 in the annular head portion 2".

Said rectangular gear frame 220 carries, intermediate of said frameplates 22I and 224, a series of four identical quadruple gearassemblies, one

assembly being mounted at each of the four corners of said frame 220.Each of said assemblies includes a shaft 235, the opposite endsof whichare mounted in openings formed in said frame members 22| and 224. Eachof said shafts 239 carries an annular ball bearing assembly 239,interposed between the frame member HI and the spacing plate 223; aquadruple gear 231; and a bearing assembly 239. interposed between thespacing plate 222 and the left hand frame member 224. Each of said gears231 is prevented from turning, and is maintained in fixed positionconveniently by means of a series of four pins 239 which extend throughsaid plate 222, gear 231, and plate 223. Each of said annular bearings236 and 239 has rigidly mounted on its periphery a roller ring 249 forrolling engagement with the rail tracks 24| formed at the opposite sidesof the side frame member I95 by formation of the channel recess 4 insaid frame I95.

Said rectangular frame plate 224 is provided with the outwardly turnedrectangular flange 242 which forms a guide track 242' for engagement bythe roller 2'43. Said roller 243 is Journaled on the stud shaft 244mounted in the lower end of the bracket 245 which is rigidly connectedto the side frame member I05 by bolts 246. I find it convenient toprovide said shaft 244 with the axial drilled passageway 241 which isprovided at its outer end with the grease cup 249 by which grease may beforced through said Opening 241 to said roller 243 through an opening299 formed at the inner end of said shaft 244 and in communication withthe axial opening 241.

counterclockwise movement of the drive gear 49 causes counterclockwisemovement of the gears 56 and 16 and causes the quadruple chain 92 tomove continuously around said quadruple gears 58 and 16. One or more ofsaid quadruple gears 231, carried by the frame 229, is continually inengagement with the quadruple chain 92 which moves in the same directionas the chain 9| at the opposite side of the apparatus. Said frame member226 is limited in its transverse travel, in the same manner as the framemember I69. when a corner of the flanged guide track 242' reaches theroller 243, and said frame member 220 thereupon is caused to turnclockwise on its axis until the following quadruple gear 231 of theseries is moved into engagement with the chain 92 which prevents furtherrotation of said frame member 229 and causes said frame member 220 againto be carried along, in the same manner as the frame member I69, byengagement of the gears 231 with the chain 92 until such time as acorner of the guide track flange 242 again reaches the roller 243, whichcauses said frame 220 again to be rotated about its axis.

The U-shaped bracket 255 includes the side arms 256 and 251 which havebosses 259 and 259 at their respective upper .ends and in which areformed the bearings 266 and 26L Said bearing 260 is mounted for freedomof turning movement on the sleeve I65 between the counterweight armbearing I60 and the annular head I66 of said sleeve I65. I find itconvenient to interpose the thrust bearing 262 between said head I66 andbearing 260, and, as shown in Fig. H, said thrust bearing 262 is mountedin the annular recess 263 formed in said bearing boss The oppositeU-bracket bearing 26| is mounted correspondingly with freedom for tumingmovement on the sleeve 2|6 between the counterweight arm bearing 2|2 andthe annular head 2" of said sleeve 2|9. The thrust bearing 269, mountedin the recess 269 formed in said bearing boss 299, is interposed betweenthe head 2 I1 and the bearing 29 The air cylinder 269 is rigidly mountedon and carried by the cross member of the U-bracket 295, intermediate ofthe arms 299 and 291, by means of a series of bolts 299, which extendthrough the opposite side bracket flanges 219 of the casing 21| of saidair cylinder 269. Said air cylinder 266 is of the well-knownconventional type and includes a double acting piston mounted forreciprocation in the cylinder chamber 2". Air under pressure is admittedto and exhausted from the cylinder chamber 21| at the underside of thepiston through the piping connection 212, under control of a two-wayvalve 213 of any of the well-known types; and air under pressure isadmitted to and exhausted from the cylinder chamber 21| at the upperside of the piston through the piping connection 214 also controlled bya two-way valve 219.

Said air cylinder includes the plunger rod 211 having the male screwthree: 213 at its upper end in screw threaded engagement with the screwthreaded opening 219 of the socket base 299 of the inclinedelevatedtable support 29L I find it convenient to provide said screw thread ofthe plunger with the lock nut 292 to maintain said support in itsdesired predetermined position. As shown in Fig. I, the inclined table263 is rigidly asoavao mounted on the upper side of said support 23Lconveniently by a series of screws 234 which, ex-

, tend through the flanges of said support 23I and into screw threadedholes in said table 283.

Said inclined table 233 has at its lower edge the.

upturned flange 236 to prevent objects from sliding of! when they areplaced on the table.

The shaft 290 is mounted to reciprocate horizontally in the bearingsleeve I65, and, as shown in Fig. II, said shaft 230 has the screwthread I at its right hand end for engagement with the internal axialscrew thread 292 of the nut 293. Said nut 233 has at its right hand end,in integral relation therewith, the cylindrical reduced shaft portion235 on which the handwheel 296 is rigidly mounted. I find it convenientto provide said shaft 235 with the key 291 for enga'gement with the keyslot 298 formed in the axial opening 299 of the hub 300 of saidhandwheel 236. The screw threaded outer end 30I of said shaft 295 isprovided with the clamping nut 302 and lockwasher 303 to prevent axialdisplacement of said handwheel 235 from said shaft 235. I

The right hand end 304 of the sleeve I65 is screw threaded forengagementwith the axial threaded opening 305 of the cylindrical nut housingmember 306. Said housing 306 has th offset internal recess portions 301and 303, in which are mounted the thrust bearings 305 and 3I0. Thecylindrical nut 233 is provided with the reduced portions 3i 2 and 3I3forming journals by bular body of the can by the apparatus disclosedherein and as hereinafter described.

Referring to the left hand side of the structure shown in Fig. II, theshaft 335 is push fitted in the axial opening through the sleeve 2I3 andsaid shaft 335 is welded to the sleeve 2I6 as at 336. Said shaft 335 isprovided at its right hand end with the enlarged head portion 331 onwhich is rigidly mounted the rectangular supporting plate 333, which hasthe axial offset portion 333 provided with the axial opening 340 whichis in engagement with the head 331 of said shaft 335. Said supportinplate 333 is held rigidly mounted on the shaft 335 by the nut 3, andlockwasher 342, in engagement with the screw thread a 343 formed on theend of the enlarged portion which said nut 2-33 is mounted in saidbearings 303 and 3I0. As shown in Fig. II, the housing member 306 isprovided at its right hand end with the closure plate 3I5 which isrigidly fastened to said housing 306 by means of a series of cap screws3I6, which'extend through said closure plate 3I5 into engagement withtapped holes in the cylindrical wall of said housing 306. Said closureplate 3I5 is provided with the axial opening 3I1 forming a bearing forthe journal MS of the nut 293. The housing 306 is fastened rigidly tothe screw threaded end 304 of the sleeve I by means of the set screw 3I3which extends through the reduced left hand end 320 of said housing 306and into engagement with the screw threaded end 304 of the sleeve I65.

As shown in Fig. II, the shaft 230 is provided at its left hand end withthe reduced portion 322 on which is rigidly mounted the rectangularsupporting plate 323 which has the axial offset portion 324 providedwith the axial opening 325 which isin engagement with the reducedportion tend through countersunk holes in the support-' in: plate 323,with the ends of said rods 330 being riveted over in the countersunkportion of the holes. The right hand ends of said rods 336 extendthrough and are free to reciprocate in aligned bearing holes formed inthe frame members I10, I15, I15, and I11. Said supporting plate 323 isprovided with the series of studs 332, rigidly mounted on the plate 323,for engagement with the flanged top closure of a powder can which is tobe autcmatically welded to the tu- 331 of said shaft 333 The supportingplate 333 is connected to the frame 220, and adapted to be turnedcontemporaneously therewith, by means of two rods 345, the right handends of which are reduced and extend through countersunk holes in theplate 338, with the ends of said rods riveted over in the countersunkportion of the holes. 18 left hand ends of said rods 345 are push fittedin aligned holes formed in the frame member 22L Said supporting plate336 is provided with a series of studs 335, rigidly mounted on the plate333, for engagement with the bottom flanged closure of a powder can tobe welded to the tubular body of the can, as hereinafter described.

The opposite ends of the shaft 343 are journaled respectively in bearingbrackets 343 and 350 rigidly mounted on the respective top surfaces ofthe side frame members 33 and I05. Said shaft 343 is prevented fromaxial displacement by the collars 35I and 352 which are rigidlyconnected to said shaft .343 by their respective set screws 353 and 354.Said shaft 343 carries the frame member 356 provided with the arms 351and 353, the respective; upper ends of which are provided with bearingopenings 353 and 360 for the shaft 343. Said frame 356 is prevented fromaxial displacement on the shaft 343 by the pairs of collars 36I and 362rigidly fastened to said shaft 343 at the opposite sides of each of saidframe arms 351 and 353. Said frame .356 is provided with the horizontalreinforcing bar 363, the opposite ends of which are rigidly connected tosaid arms 351 and 353, conveniently by a series of cap screws 364 whichengage tapped holes in the ends of said bar 363.

As shown in Figs. II and III, the lower ends of said arms 351 and 353are provided with bearrespective outer ends the angle roller supportingframes 313 and 314, each of which is provided with two'holes 315.and 316in which are mounted stud shafts 311 carrying rollers 313 free to turnthereon. The inner ends of each of said shafts 311 extend through theframes 313 and 314 and are screw threaded and provided with clampingnuts.

. I have found it convenient to provide the frame 355 with thecylindrical weight 333. The ends of said weight 330 are slotted forengagement with the arms 351 and 353 and said weight is mounted rigidlyon the reinforcing bar 333 by means of bolts 88 I Said weight has at itsupper side, in integral relation therewith, the eyebolt 882 which isengaged between the bifurcated ends of connecting link 888 and pivotallyconnected thereto .by the bolt 888. Said link 888 is provided with thescrew threaded socket 888 which is engaged by the depending screwthreaded end of the plunger shaft 881 of the air cylinder 888. Said aircylinder is mounted on the top frame supporting member 888, the oppositeends of 10 which are rigidly connected by bolts Ni and 882 to the upperarms 888 and 888 of the side frame brackets 282 and 288.

The air cylinder 888 is utilized to raise the weighted frame 888 andsaid air cylinder is rigid- 1y mounted on the top frame support 888 bymeans of a series of bolts 888 which extend through the opposite sidebracket flanges 888 of the casing 891 of said cylinder 888. Said aircylinder is of a well-known conventional type and includes a pistonmounted for reciprocation in the cylinder chamber 881. Air underpressure is admitted to and exhausted from the under side of the pistonthrough the piping connection 898 under control of a two-way valve 888of any of the well-known types. Although I have found it convenient toutilize said air cylinder 888 only to effect raising movement of theweighted frame 888, it is obvious that suitable piping and valveconnections could be provided so hand and left hand assemblies, aremounted on the top frame support 888, conveniently by bolts 881 and 888.Said welding heads may be of any of the well known types, such asWeldomatic heads manufactured and sold by Westinghouse Electric andManufacturing Company,

which are the type chosen for illustration in the drawings. As is wellknown in the art, the welding wire electrode 8 is furnished on spools,not shown, and fed automatically by the welding head, at a predeterminedrate of speed to the point where the weld is to be made, through nozzlesH I which are adjusted to a position of about an inch from the work,with the welding wire electrode extending from the end of the nozzle tothe work.

Said automatic welding heads 888 and 888 are connected by suitablewiring to the operators panel 2, including an ofi" and on switch 8, andto a control cabinet I connected to a suitable source of v. directcurrent. The work 55 to be welded is grounded to complete the weldingcircuit by means of the slightly flexible copper element 1 in contactwith the work, which in the apparatus shown is a rectangular shapedpowder can. Said ground element 8" is rigidly 00 connected to anddepends from the weighted cross bar 888 of the frame member 888,conveniently by bolts 8", and said ground element 8I1 is provided with asuitable ground lead 8.

The ground element 8" is so positioned that it is 5 continually inpressure contact with the tubular bodyofthepowdercanduringsuchtimeesthecan is being held betweal the supp rting P181168 :8 and 888, with theframe 888 in lowered posion. The apparatus shown inl'igs. I, II, and mis designed particularly toautomatically electrically weldrectangularshaped gunpowder boxes of the tyv showninriss.fvsndv.- Referringtol'isstion 828 preformed from a flat sheet of steel and butt welded formingthe longitudinal seam 82I. The top closure 822 is provided with therectangular flange 828 formed in integral relation therewith, and saidtop closure is provided with the circumferential flanged opening 828through which the box may be filled and emptied. Said opening 828 isadapted to be sealed by a removable cover, not shown. The bottom closure828 of the box is provided with the rectangular flange 828 formed as anintegral part of the bottom closure 828.

The top and bottom closures 822 and 828 and the body portion 828 may beassembled directly by the operator in the apparatus and the parts heldin assembled position between the supporting plates 828 and 888.However, before the top and bottom closures are welded to the body por-.

tion 828 along the lines A and B entirely around the box by theapparatus shown herein, said top and bottom closures may be preassembledto the body 828 by a series of tack welds 821.

Operation planes; and that the supporting plates 828 and 888,respectively connected to the frames I88 and 228 and adapted to beturned contemporaneously therewith, are mounted on the frames so thatthe corresponding sides of the plates 828 and 888 are respectively inplanes parallel to the planes of the corresponding sides of the framesI88 and 228.

Having been so assembled initially, it is obvious that the positions ofthe frames I88 and 228 with their respective supporting plates 828 and888 do not change relatively, because said frames I88 and 228 are movedcontemporaneously by continual engagement of their respective quadruplegears I82 and 281 with their respective quadruple chains 8| and 82,which in turn are in continuous engagement with their respectivequadruple gears 88 and 18 and their respective driving quadruple gears88 and 88 which are rigidly mounted on the shaft 88 turned by the drivegear 88 connected thereto.

The operator places on the inclined table 288 in its lowered position apreformed powder box with its top and bottom closures 822 and 828positioned at the ends'of the tubular body portion 828 and so heldeither manually or by a series of tackwelds. 'I'he'boxisplacedonthetable with the longitudinal axis of the box horizontal and with thecircumferential opening828 of the box to the right, as shown in Fig. II.The operator positionsthe boxonthetablesothstitwillbe intermediate ofthe supporting plates 828 and 888. The two-way valve 218 is then openedto admit eirunderpressuretotheimdersideoithepistonf in the cylinderchamber 2", thereby elevating the table 288 cousi s the box until thlongitudinal axis of the box coincides approximately with the axis ofthe supporting plates 828 and 888. whereupon, the valve 218 is cloeedand the table endboxremaininsuchelevetedposition.

Thethreedattherighthandendofthesheft 288 is right hand and the operatorcauses the qr usnsrtmmsuu orunspimaam studs 343 of the plate 333 incontact with said bottom closure 425. Movement of the shaft 230 to theleft also moves the plates 323 into supporting engagement with therectangular flange 423 of the top closure 422 and with the series ofstuds 332 of the supporting plate 323 in engagement with said topclosure 422.

'The two-way valve 213 is then turned to permit the air under pressureto be exhausted from the under side of the piston in the aircylinder.chamher 2'" and the valve 215 is turned to permit theintroduction of air under pressure to the upper side of said piston tothereby cause the inclined table 283 to be moved downwardly and out ofsupporting engagement with the powder box, which is now supported at itsopposite end flanged closures by the supporting plates 323 and 333.

The two-way valve 433 of the air cylinder 383 is then turned to exhaustthe air under pressure from the under side of the piston in saidcylinder 388 to permit the weighted frame member 356 to be lowered bygravity until the pairs of rollers 318 bear upon the tubular bodyportion 420 of the box at a point in close proximity to the point ofwelding. Lowering oi the frame member 356 also brings the ground element4", connected to and depending from the weighted cross bar 363 of theframe member 356, into pressure contact with the tubular body of thecan.

When the powder-can is thus engaged by the supporting plates 323 and 338so that the studs 332 and 345 are respectively in contact with the topandbottom closures of the can, as above described, the junction of thecan body 420 and the top closure 422 is In a plane coinciding with I32carried by the frame I63 and of the quad- .ruple gears 231 carried bythe frame 220 are con- 220 and plates 323 and 338 in supportingengagement with the powder can.

' Both guide tracks I33 and 242' are identical in configuration with theconfiguration of the powder box being welded. Accordingly, said framemember I33 is limited in its transverse travel when a corner of theguide flange track I33, coinciding in outline with a corner of thepowder box being welded, reaches the roller 200, and said frame memberI53 and powder box thereupon is caused to turn clockwise on its axisuntil the following quadruple gear i-92 of the series is moved intoengagement with the chain 3! which prevents further rotation of theframe member I53 the axis of the welding wire electrode 0 of the weldinghead 403 and the junction of the body portion 420 and the bottom closure425 is in a plane coinciding with the axis of the welding wire electrodeH0. of the welding head 405.

The operator then moves the switch "3 in the.

operators panel 2 to "on position to close the welding circuit.

Movement of the switch 4I3'to on position also closes the circuit to themotor 208 which, through suitable gearing connections including the gearreduction unit 203, turns the-drive gear 43 counterclockwise. Suchmovement of the drivegear 43, rigidly, mounted at the end. of theshaft", causes the quadruple gears 55 and 58, also rigidly fastened tothe shaft 43, to turn counterclockwise contemporaneously.counterclockwise movement of the quadruple gears 53 and 58 causes thequadruple chains 3I and 32-to be moved contemporaneouslycounterclockwise on their respective quadruple gears 33 and 18 mountedon the front socket supporting members ii and 25. Such counterclockwisemovement of the quadruple gears 53, 58, 33, and 13 causes the quadruplechains 9I and 32 to be moved. contemporaneously from left'to right, inFig. I, in their respective guide channels H3 and H4 formed in the sideframe members 33 and counterclockwise and powder box and causes saidframe and box again to be carried along from left to right, in Fig. I,by engagement of the gears I32 with the chain 3|, until such time as acorner of the flanged guide track I33 again reaches the roller 200,which causes said frame I53 and box again to be rotated about its axis.It is obvious that such movement and rotation of the frame member I39 iscontemporaneously duplicated with respect to the. frame member 220, byengagement of the roller 243 with the guide track 242' of the frameplate 224. a

The frame members I33 and 223, carried by the pivoted counterweight armsH1 and I24, have one or more of their respective quadruple gears I92.and 231 maintained continually in engagement with the quadruple chains9| and 92.

by means of the counterweights I41 and I54 of the arms H1 and I24, whichcounterweights continually stress said arms in a clockwise direction.However, said frames I63 and 220 are prevented from clockwise movementby the engagement of the rollers I35 and 240 with their respective railtracks I36 of the side frame member 33 and the rail tracks 24I of theside frame member I05.

by causes a continuous weld to be produced along the lines A and B asthe powder box is automatically turned, as hereinabove described.

I When the powder box has been returned to the position at which it waswhen the operator turned the switch 3 to "on position to initiate thewelding operation, the switch M3 is moved by the operator to "off"position which breaks the welding circuit and simultaneously opens thecircuit to the motor 208 which stops further rotation of the drive gear43. The two-way valve 400 is then opened to admit air under pressure tothe under side of the piston in the air cylinder 388 which causes theplunger shaft 381 of the aircylinder 388 to be moved upwardly andcarries with. it the weighted frame member 350 I and rollers 313 out ofengagement with the body '-f One or more of the series of quadruplegears portion 420 of the powder can. The two-way valves 213 and 215 arethen operated to admit air under pressure to the under side of thepiston in the air cylinder 238 and to exhaust air from the upper side ofthe piston to thereby raise the table 283 into engagement with thepowder box which is still supported between the supporting plates 323and 338. The handwheel is then turned clockwise to move the shaft 290 tothe right, as in Fig. II, which retracts the supporting plate 323 fromthe top rectangular flange 423 and permits the operator to move the boxto the right to disengage the bottom rectangular flange 423 from theleft hand supporting plate 338.

The box then rests upon the inclined table 283 and the air cylinder 288is again operated by means of the valves 213 and 215 to lower the table283 to its initial position. Thereupon, the operator replaces thecompletely welded box with a box to be welded, and the above-describedcycle of operation is repeated;

I do not desire to limit myself to the details of construction andarrangement of the structure shown herein, as it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the essentialfeatures of my invention. For example, the shaft 293, carrying thesupporting plate 323, may be reciprocated by any of the wellknown means,such as an air cylinder having a double acting piston; and the work tobe welded may be mounted between supporting plates of which only one isdriven by the driving connections herein shown, with the opposite platemerely being mounted on a shaft iournaled in the bearing formed at theouter end of the counterweight arm.

I claim:

1. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith movable and rotatable supporting means for engagement with the workto be welded; of means for effecting engagement and disengagement ofsaid supporting means with said work; an endless chain; driving meansfor said chain; means. operatively connecting said chain with said worksupporting means for moving said work supporting means; a guide track inoperating relation to said supporting means; and means in engagementwith said guide track to limit the movement of said guide track,supporting means, and the work supported to a predetermined path oftravel coincident with the surface of the work to bewelded.

2. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith movable and rotatable supporting means for engagement with the workto be welded; of means for eflecting engagement and disengagement ofsaid supporting means with limit the movement of said guide track,suppor'rmeans for effecting engagement and disengagement of saidsupporting means with said work; an endless chain; driving means forsaid chain; a pivoted and movable arm having a counterweight at one end;means, carried by the opposite end of said counterweight arm,operatively connecting said chain with said work supporting means formoving said work supporting means; whereby, said connecting means ismaintained continually in engagement with said chain by means of theeffective forces of said counterweight; a guide track in operatingrelation to said supporting means; and means in engagement with saidguide track to limit the movement of said guide track,supporting means,and the work supported to a predetermined path of travel coincident withthe surface of the work to be welded.

4. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith a movable and rotatable supporting plate for engagement with thework to be welded; of means for effecting engagement and disengagementof said supporting plate with said work; an endless chain; driving meansfor said chain; a pivotally mounted movable arm having a counterweightat one end; a frame, carried by the opposite end of said arm; a seriesof immovable gears carried by said frame and operatively connected tosaid chain; means connecting said frame with said plate for moving saidplate; I

ing means, and thework' supported to a predetermined path of travelcoincident with the surface of the work to be welded; and meansmaintaining said connecting means continually in en'- gagement with saidendless chain.

3. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich'progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith movable and rotatable supporting means for engagement with the workto be welded; of

guide track in operating relation to said frame; and roller means inengagement with said guide track to limit the movement of said guidetrack, supporting means, and the work supported to a predetermined pathof travel coincident with the surface of the work to be welded.

5. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith a movable and rotatable supporting plate for engagement with thework to be welded; of means for effecting engagement and disene gagementof said supporting plate with said work; an endless chain; driving meansfor said chain; a pivotally mounted movable arm having a counterweightat one end; a frame, carried by the opposite end of said arm; a seriesof immovable gears carried by said frame and operatively connected tosaid chain; reciprocating shaft means connecting said frame with saidplate for effecting movement of said plate; a guide track carried bysaid frame; and roller means in engagement with said guide track tolimit the movement of said guide track, supporting means, and the worksupported to a predetermined path of travel coincident with the surfaceof the'work to be welded.

6. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; thecombination' with a pair of movable and rotatable supporting plates forengagement with the work to be welded and for supporting said worktherebetween; of means for effecting engagement and disengagement ofsaid supporting plates with i said work; a pairof endless chains;driving respectively ope'ratively connecting each frame connecting oneof said frames with its plate for electing movement of said plate; meansconnecting the other frame with its plate; a guide track in operatingrelation to one of said frames; and roller means in engagement with saidguide track to limit the movement of said guide track, supporting means,and the work supported to a predetermined path of travel coincident withthe surface of the work to be welded.

7. In automatic electric welding apparatus including a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith a pair of movable and rotatable supporting plates for engagementwith the work to be welded and for supporting said work therebetween; ofmeans for effecting engagement and disengagement of said supportingplates with said work; a pair of endless chains; driving means for saidchains; a pair of pivotally mounted movable arms each having acounterweight at one end and a frame pivotally mounted at the oppositeend; two immovable series of gears, one series being carried by each ofsaid frames and respectively operatively connecting each frame to itsdriving chain; reciprocating shaft means connecting one of said frameswith its plate for effecting movement of said plate; means connectingthe other frame with its plate; two guide tracks, one of which is inoperating relation to each of said frames; and roller means respectivelyin engagement with each of said guide 7 supporting means, and the worksupported therebetween to a predetermined path of travel coincident withthe surface of the work to be welded.

8. An automatic electric welding apparatus in eluding a welding headwhich progresses a welding wire electrode automatically; the combinationwith a supporting framework having two pairs of standards, each pairincluding a front and rear standard; of gears rotatably mounted at theupper ends of each standard; two endless chains respectively connectinggears mounted on a front and a rear standard; driving means foreffecting contemporaneous movement of said gears and chains; a pair ofpivotally mounted movable arms, each having a counterweight at one endand a frame pivotally mounted at the opposite end; two immovable seriesof gears, one series being carried by each of said frames andrespectively operatively connecting each frame to its driving chain; apair of movable and. rotatable supporting plates for engagement with thework to be welded and supporting said work therebetween, one plate beingcarried by each frame, and adapted to be turned contemporaneouslytherewith; two guide tracks, one of which is in'operating relation toeach of said frames; roller means in engagement with each of said guidetracks to limit the movement of said tracks, supporting means and thework to be supported to a predetermined path of travel coincident withthe surface of the work to be welded; and a U-shaped yoke, the oppositearms of which are pivotally in supporting relation respectively to saidframes and the supporting plates connected to said frames.

' LAURENCE J. BERKELEY.

